To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

A penta-dimensional longitudinal analysis of the predictors of compulsive internet use among adolescents using linear mixed model (LMM)

A PENTA-DIMENSIONAL LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS
OF THE
PREDICTORS OF COMPULSIVE INTERNET USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS
USING LINEAR MIXED MODEL (LMM)
by
XiaoLong Li
A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF SCIENCE
(BIOSTATISTICS)
August 2012
Copyright 2012 XiaoLong Li

In the present study, we investigated the relationships between demographics, socio-psychological factors, substance abuse, sexual behavior, and types of internet use, collectively called the “penta-dimension”, and compulsive internet use (CIU) among adolescents. Foremost, the research was inspired by the vast proliferation of internet usage through desktop computers and their internet-accessible mobile derivatives (laptops, cellular phones, and tablet computers) among adolescents, plus their ever-increasing amount of time spend in the virtual world, which have been shown to have detrimental effects on their livelihoods. Second, the research was an attempt to not only centralize the ever-so fragmented research fields of internet addiction, but also to explore the unknown. ❧ We obtained data from the sixth funded project (TND-6), the seventh clustered-randomized controlled trial of Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND). The results show four of the five dimensions were associated with CIU: demographics, socio-psychological factors, sexual behavior, and types of internet use. Substance abuse failed to predict CIU. Specifically, our study revealed eight significant predictors of compulsive internet use behavior among adolescents: gender, ethnicity, BMI, parental education level (a measure of SES), behavior problems, decision making–avoidance, sex frequency in past 12 months, and online communication. In order to construct a model of adolescent CIU, more studies specifically designed for CIU are needed. During our research process, however, we may have accidentally stridden into a new dimension, rarely discussed within the realm of adolescent CIU research.

The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the author, as the original true and official version of the work, but does not grant the reader permission to use the work if the desired use is covered by copyright. It is the author, as rights holder, who must provide use permission if such use is covered by copyright. The original signature page accompanying the original submission of the work to the USC Libraries is retained by the USC Libraries and a copy of it may be obtained by authorized requesters contacting the repository e-mail address given.

A PENTA-DIMENSIONAL LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS
OF THE
PREDICTORS OF COMPULSIVE INTERNET USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS
USING LINEAR MIXED MODEL (LMM)
by
XiaoLong Li
A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF SCIENCE
(BIOSTATISTICS)
August 2012
Copyright 2012 XiaoLong Li